Trooping the Colour is an opportunity for political leaders to join in with all the pomp and ceremony of a monarch’s birthday – but it was Akshata Murty and Carrie Johnson who (once again) proved the old adage that behind every prime minister is an uber-fashionable first lady.
Billionairess Akshata has long been a Tatler favourite for her elegant wardrobe and effortless old money aesthetic – just ask style editor Chandler Tregaskes, who last year dubbed the former fashion designer ‘Britain’s answer to Jacqueline Kennedy’.
And Akshata, who famously dons £570 JW Anderson suede slippers for the school run, kept up the political power dressing for King Charles’ birthday celebrations on Saturday 15 June. Not one to let the rain dampen her spirits, the 44-year-old Stanford graduate brought the spirit of British summertime to Trooping the Colour in a matching soft pink skirt and jacket ensemble, coordinating the look with a white saucer hat and pink bow. Both Akshata and Rishi Sunak – whose household is thought to have a combined net worth of £529 million – braved the deluge and refused to pull on ponchos as the heavens opened over Horse Guards Parade. It was another successful Trooping for the prime minister’s wife, who last year wore an elegant white dress and hat for the event.
It may be the last time we see Akshata Murty at Trooping the Colour. After Rishi Sunak announced that the nation would be heading to the polls on 4th July for a snap general election, his Conservative Party have been trailing in the polls. But no longer having the keys to Number 10 by no means locks you out of enjoying the annual celebrations with your family, as Carrie Johnson proved at the King’s birthday celebrations last week.